John S. Cummins

Immigrant naturalization and birthright citizenship should be supported, asserts John S. Cummins in the following viewpoint. The vast majority of immigrants in the United States are moral, productive individuals who are eager to become naturalized citizens. Any legislative proposals that would change the naturalization process should not be designed in a way that would make it more difficult for immigrants to become citizens, he contends. For example, birthright citizenship—which grants citizenship to all children born in the United States regardless of the status of their parents—should not be repealed. Eliminating birthright citizenship would only create an unhealthy divisiveness in American society, Cummins maintains. Cummins is the bishop of the Catholic diocese of Oakland, California.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What is the naturalization process designed...